Festival calendar
Chhath Puja 2026: date and how it is observed
Chhath Puja 2026 runs from Friday, 13 November 2026 to Monday, 16 November 2026.
Date
Friday, 13 November 2026 → Monday, 16 November 2026
Tithi
Kartik Shukla Shashthi
Days of the festival
- Nahay KhayFriday, 13 November 2026
- KharnaSaturday, 14 November 2026
- Sandhya ArghyaSunday, 15 November 2026
- Usha ArghyaMonday, 16 November 2026
About Chhath Puja
Chhath Puja is the four-day worship of Surya, the Sun, and Chhathi Maiya, observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Devotees keep a strict fast and offer arghya to the setting and the rising Sun.
How Chhath Puja is observed
- Day 1, Nahay Khay: bathe and eat a simple sattvic meal.
- Day 2, Kharna: fast through the day and eat kheer and roti after sunset.
- Day 3 and 4: offer arghya to the setting Sun, then to the rising Sun, at a river or pond.
Stotras to read
- Surya AshtakamEight verses praising Lord Surya, the visible deity and soul-karaka in Vedic astrology. Recited at sunrise on Sundays and Makar Sankranti to destroy planetary afflictions, grant health, and invoke solar vitality.
- Aditya HridayamThe 31-verse solar hymn from Valmiki Ramayana Yuddha Kanda, taught by Sage Agastya to Lord Rama before the final battle with Ravana. The supreme Sun remedy in Vedic astrology for victory, health, and Surya Mahadasha relief.
More festivals in 2026
- Lohri
- Makar Sankranti
- Vasant Panchami
- Maha Shivratri
- Holi
- Ugadi & Gudi Padwa
- Ram Navami
- Hanuman Jayanti
- Jagannath Rath Yatra
- Guru Purnima
- Raksha Bandhan
- Krishna Janmashtami
- Ganesh Chaturthi
- Sharad Navratri
- Dussehra (Vijayadashami)
- Sharad Purnima
- Karwa Chauth
- Dhanteras
- Govardhan Puja
- Bhai Dooj
- Dev Uthani Ekadashi
- Kartik Purnima
- Diwali (Deepavali)
Dates are for New Delhi, calculated and checked against published panchangs. When a tithi spans two days or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat in your city, check the local panchang.
Frequently asked questions
When is Chhath Puja in 2026?
Chhath Puja 2026 runs from Friday, 13 November 2026 to Monday, 16 November 2026. Nahay Khay: Friday, 13 November 2026; Kharna: Saturday, 14 November 2026; Sandhya Arghya: Sunday, 15 November 2026; Usha Arghya: Monday, 16 November 2026. The dates are for New Delhi.
Which tithi is Chhath Puja celebrated on?
Chhath Puja is celebrated on Kartik Shukla Shashthi. This follows the North Indian (Purnimanta) calendar.
Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?
Chhath Puja is the four-day worship of Surya, the Sun, and Chhathi Maiya, observed mainly in Bihar, Jharkhand, eastern Uttar Pradesh and Nepal. Devotees keep a strict fast and offer arghya to the setting and the rising Sun.
Can the date of Chhath Puja differ in my city?
Yes. When a tithi spans two days, or a region follows a different rule, a festival can fall a day earlier or later. For the exact muhurat of the puja, check the panchang for your city.
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